Book description
Although the short stories in this collection take place in the distant
future and within fictional landscapes, the themes that James Gunn
examines are the perpetual issues of the human race. These stories
revolve around the testing of man's true character - a problem that
Gunn, through his powerful plot construction, proves is universal.
James Gunn has worked as an editor of paperback reprints; as managing
editor of Kansas University alumni publications; as director of K. U.
public relations; as a professor of English; and now is professor
emeritus of English and director of the Center for the Study of Science
Fiction. He won national awards for his work as an editor and a director
of public relations. He was awarded the Byron Caldwell Smith Award in
recognition of literary achievement and the Edward Grier Award for
excellence in teaching; was president of the Science Fiction Writers of
America for 1971-72 and president of the Science Fiction Research
Association from 1980-82; has been guest of honor at many regional SF
conventions, including SFeracon in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, and Polcon, the
Polish National SF convention, in Katowice; was presented the Pilgrim
Award of SFRA in 1976; a special award from the 1976 World SF Convention
for ALTERNATE WORLDS; a Science Fiction Achievement Award (Hugo) by the
1983 World SF Convention for ISAAC ASIMOV: THE FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENCE
FICTION; and the Eaton Award in 1992 for lifetime achievement; was a K.
U. Mellon Fellow in 1981 and 1984; and served from 1978-80 and
1985-present as chairman of the Campbell Award jury to select the best
science fiction novel of the year. He has lectured in Denmark, China,
Iceland, Japan, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Yugoslavia,
and the Soviet Union for the U. S. Information Agency.
